With the holidays coming around the bend, being back home or with family can be stressful. Questions you don’t know how to answer, ‘When are you graduating?’ ‘Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?’, or the biggest one ‘Did you lose or gain weight?’. This can be triggering to people for different reasons. Thanksgiving being the holiday where you’re supposed to feast can be hard for a few.
An eating disorder is defined as any range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits. It can start so young as well as in adult years. Binging and purging are some of the habits that accompany eating disorders. Even though it’s labelled as abnormal and disturbed eating habits it goes deeper than that. Many people don’t understand the emotional and mental toll this can take on a person. With someone who struggles with food just eating a decent meal can be hard.
Body dysmorphia plays a role in how we perceive ourselves daily, and let’s not forget the enemy of social media where bodies are constantly critiqued. This holiday tries to take a few steps in taking care of yourself first. It’s hard standing up to family when the remarks of the freshman fifteen or ‘gorda’ -fat girl in Spanish- are being thrown around.
- Setting boundaries
- You are allowed to leave
- Forgive yourself if you mess up
- Check in with someone who is in your corner
Food-focused holidays can be triggering and raise anxiety. Not everyone understands, but for those who do support those who need it. Diet culture can be misleading and a toxic environment to be around if you’re on a journey battling an eating disorder. While enjoying these holidays with your loved ones remember that no one can make you feel inferior without your permission. You don’t have to earn an extra slice of pumpkin pie if you want seconds.